Posted on 10/07/2006 6:40:10 AM PDT by NYer
NEW YORK - A new 10-nation survey of Pentecostal and charismatic Christians, considered the fastest-growing stream of Christianity worldwide, shows they are deeply influencing the Roman Catholic and mainstream Protestant churches and are poised to make a big impact on global affairs. p>The poll released Thursday by the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that "spirit-filled" Christians, who speak in tongues and believe in healing through prayer, comprise at least 10 percent of the population in nine of the 10 surveyed countries.
The study also found that followers are more willing than previously thought to bring their traditional values into public debates, potentially shaping government policies in the years ahead.
The surveys were conducted over the spring and summer in Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, India, the Philippines, South Korea" /> Researchers polled both Pentecostals, who form their own denominations such as the Assemblies of God, and charismatics, who have adopted some Pentecostal beliefs but remain members of traditional Protestant and Catholic churches.
The survey estimated that Pentecostals and charismatics together comprise at least half the population of Brazil, Guatemala and Kenya, and 44 percent of the Philippines.
They make up about one-third of the population of South Africa and Chile and nearly one-quarter of Nigerians and U.S. residents. The figure for South Korea is smaller, at 11 percent. In India, the poll was limited to three states with large Christian populations, so a national estimate could not be made.
The study found Pentecostal beliefs have a strong hold in major churches in many countries.
In the traditionally Catholic nations of Brazil, Guatemala and the Philippines, charismatics are a larger share of the population than Pentecostals.
In six of the 10 countries, Pentecostals and charismatics together make up the majority of the overall Protestant population, according to the survey.
The Pentecostal movement, which began a century ago in Los Angeles, spread quickly overseas because of its adaptability to local cultures, whose indigenous beliefs often include healings and casting out of evil spirits, and because of the exuberance of its worship.
While Pentecostals and charismatics are known for speaking in tongues, the survey found respondents were more likely to say that they had personally witnessed or experienced other signs of the Holy Spirit, such as a healing through prayer or a direct revelation from God.
The majority of Pentecostals in every nation surveyed except South Korea and India believed religious groups should express their views on social and political issues. In seven of the 10 countries, 70 percent of charismatics agreed.
"These are folks for whom the world of spirit is remarkably alive ... but that in no way diminishes their commitment to social justice for the poor, for instance, or a role for government in meeting those needs," said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum.
The polls were conducted by phone in the U.S., and in person overseas, with margins of error ranging from plus or minus 4 percentage points to 9 percentage points for some subgroups.
The polls in Brazil, South Africa and South Korea focused on urban areas.
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says,You must choose it."In repentance and rest is your salvation;
In quietness and trust is your strength."
Amen, Theo. Trouble is too many dead churches don't believe in the gifts of the HS. God is about to break out miracles and signs and I'm sure they'll say it's of the devil. I'm a charismatic Christian and I don't hear many tongues spoken in church anymore. The early movement in the 80s focussed on signs and not the Word but it's changed dramatically in the past 20 years. We're very word-oriented in our church but we believe in the gifts of the Spirit and operate in them. God has only started to pour His Spirit out on all nations and the folks that don't want to receive it will be left out.
Amen. I love it when God moves. Sometimes it's in silence and the whole church quiets down for what seems like forever and sometimes you can just feel His presence in music, worship, prayer. If God's not there, it's not worth going to church, IMHO. Too many churches push Him out.
Most modern (if you can call them that) pentecostal churches don't seem to 'require' that any longer. There's a new Word-oriented movement in most of these churches now. I can't speak for the south, but in the north they seem to be steering away from trying to make people speak in tongues.
What you see on television does NOT reflect the average pentecostal/charismatic church. Besides, when you judge other christians, you reap judgement upon yourself. And you do NOT want God to judge you or give you what you deserve, do you? Not me! I've already learned THAT lesson.
Absolutely!
AMEN, Quix. They don't know what they're doing when they spit on the Holy Spirit and what he's doing today.
That's right. The Wesley's were spirit filled men of God.
Never say never, my friend.
You come very close to blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Jeremiah. You do NOT know the hearts of these worshippers nor what God is doing in them. Shame on you.
Yeah, really. They must enjoy the box they've put their God in.
Our men and women are good looking as well because they have hearts filled with the Holy Spirit and it beams out of them. You don't have to have beautiful features or hairdos, etc., to be beautiful.
In most churches, at least it seems that way to me, it depends on the pastor/leadership of the church as to how the congregation flows. Ours was a little American Baptist church until our pastor came, 25 years ago. He turned that little church of 20 into a vital congregation of over 200 in a very few years. We put on two additions during that time and a Christian school serving kids from pre-school through graduation. The Holy Spirit moves in our services but not dramatically (I'd love to see more of it happening) but it can and does happen from time to time. We're open to any move of the Holy Spirit and I believe in time we will have many healings, signs and wonders, but most importantly we have pastors who preach God's word. It's a great place to worship and they're a great family.
Any faith that tells you to divorce your husband and find another one is way off track. They are NOT typical of charismatic churches. I'm not a big fan of A of G churches myself but I had never heard that one before.
too bad you don't live near me. I think we could be good friends. Love, Mxxx
Is your son stationed out of Watertown/Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division?
Good testimony .30Carbine. Love, Mxxx
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